Socket-wrench set



' supported upon the metal strip 10 in uprightl Patented 24, 1926.

' UNITED STATES 'PATENT oFF1cE.-

LEIIZIAN'D B. SMITH, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO FRANKMOSSBERG CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SOCKET-WRENCH snr.

Application led February 26, 1926. Serial No. 90,805.

This invention relates to socket wrench sets. One of the objects thereofis to provide a socket wrench set which is practical and efcient.Another object is to provide apparatus of the above nature wherein aplurality of wrench sockets, together with a handle member therefor are-arranged compactly and are conveniently accessible. Another object isto provide a construction of' the above nature which is rugged andserviceable. Another object is to provide a socket wrench set of theabove characteristics which is simple in construction and which may bemanufactured at low cost. Other objects will be in part obvious or inpart pointed out hereinafter.

'Ihe invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elei ments, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the .variouspossible embodiments of this invention, v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wrench socket set;

Figure 2 is a top plan View with the upper member thrown back out ofoperative position;

Figure 3 is a top plan view showing the device with the socket membersand handle removed;

Figure 4 is an end elevation viewed from the right of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4', but with vthe wrench handleremoved, and

Figure 6 is alsection through a socket member showing the handlecoacting therewith.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral viewsof the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown what may betermed a base member or supporting member 10 in the shape of anelongated flat metal strip which is conveniently made of sheet metal.Upon the surf-ace of this member 101are arranged in a row a plurality ofsocket members 11 of varying sizes `and shown in this instance as six innumber.` These socket members are position with their nut=engaging endsfacing upwardly, as shown in Figure 2.

The sockets herein shown are hollow` throughout, the bore therethroughbeing shaped at its end opposite the nut-engaging .end to receive ahandle member 12. The

the member 10 are secured a row of upwardly projecting members 13 whichenter Athe handle-receiving ends of the sockets when the vsockets areplaced in position thereon. These members 13 thus position the socketsin predetermined relation to each other and prevent their sliding uponthe surface of the member 10 and out of position. These parts 13 areconveniently made in the form of spring clips having two upstandingparts 13a over which the socket springs and which grip the inner wallsof the handle-receiving bore of the r socket.

At the right-hand end of the base member or supporting strip 10 is anend wall 14 which is preferably formedintegrally with the member 10,being bent upwardly substantially at right angles thereto. This end wall14 is preferably of a height substantially equal to that of the lengthof the sockets 11. At its'left-'hand end, thev su porting strip 10 isbent upwardly provi ingan upright portion 15 adjacent to the end ofsocket 11, and is then bent downwardly again providing a horizontalprojecting end portion 16. As best shown in Figure 5, the end wall 14 isprovided in its side edge with a recess or notch 17. vThis notch isshaped to receive therein a portion of the handle member 12. The loweredge of the notch 17 is 'substantially-on a level with the surface ofthe projecting end portion' 16 at the opposite end of the basernembe 10.I

The handle member- 1 2 comprises an elongated bar which has an endportion 12 bent substantially' at4 right angles to the body thereof. Thehandle: is shaped at either end thereof to coact with the sockets 11.Preferably, it is provided with springpressed balls 18 which serve tohold the socket member` in position thereon. Since the socket members 11are hollow throughout Atheir length, a'means is provided upon the handlemember 12 to' limit its movement into the sockets. This means preferablytakes the form of projections or small ears 19 which may be swaged outof the metal of the bar 12 by forcing a vsuitable punch thereintoadjacent the edge thereof. i

The handle member 12is carried in this set as is shown in Fi res 1 and2. It is supported alongside t e row of sockets 11. The bent end portion12 of the handle curves around the end socket and rests upon theprojecting other end, t e handle member enters the notch 17. Means areprovided for holding the handle member inwardly toward the rowl ofsockets/11 and in engagement with the notch 17. Preferably, for thispurpose, a pair -of lugs 20 roject outwardly from the side of the mem r10, as shown in Figure 5, and have upstanding parts 20a which hold thehandle, as shown in Figure 4, against sidewise lateral movement.

Above the row of sockets 11 is provided a member 21 in the form of ametal strip which is hinged atits right-hand end 22 to the upper portionof the end wall 14. This member 21 extends across the upper ends of thesockets 11, itting snugly against the same, and at its left-hand end 23is curved downwardly, passing through an opening 24: in the endprojection 16 of the strip 10. The extreme end portion 23a of the member21 is provided with a lug 25 which is preferably struck up from themetal thereof and which serves as a latch to hold the member 21 down inthe closed position shown in Figure l. In order to release the member 21it isnecessary only to spring the end portion 23 thereof by a pressureinwardly against the part 23, to permit the lug 25 to move upwardlythrough the opening 24. The member 21 may then be swung upwardly, asindicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1, and back out of the way, asshown in Figures 2 and 3.

The left-hand portion of the hinged member 21. extends over the endportion 12a of the handle 12 and thus holds this end of the handle downin position. The other end of the handle is prevented from bein liftedout of position by the notch 17 wit which it engages. The lugs 20 holdthe handle in its position against lateral dis. placement.

It will be seen that neither the handle member 12 nor the socket members11 can end portion 16. Adjacent its be removed for use while the member21 is I in operative position, but that, upon the member 21 being swunout of position, the handle may be remove without disturbing thesockets, or the sockets maybe removed without disturbing the handle. Ininserting the handle 12 in its position shown in Figures 1 and 2, it ismoved'endwise into engagement with the notch 17. In this movement of thehandle into position, the

projections 19 thereon facing toward the end wall 14 are required toslip through the notch. When this `action takes place, the -lugs 20spring outwardly a slight amount and the snap back, urging the handlememl' ber into the notch 17. When the handle is in posltlon, as shown inFigure 2, the -projections 19 have just moved through the slot 17 andare closely adjacent to the wall 14. A slight effort is required inorder toeifect endwise sliding of the handleout again for use. Thus,even when the hinged member 21 is thrown back to inoperative position,the handle 12 is yieldin lyheld in place, although its left-hand en 12amay be lifted upwardly. Moreover, the individual socket members 11 areyieldingly held in place by their spring clips 13.

all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown f in the" accompanyingdrawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

` claim as my invention:

1.l In a socket wrench set, in combination with a plurality of socketsand a handle member therefor, a sheet metal strip having means upon itssurface adapted to receive and hold said sockets in a/row and insubstantially upright position therein, said strip having at one endthereof a portion bent upwardly at substantially right angles forming anend wall, and means projecting outwardly from one side of said stri andhaving upright parts spaced laterally from said row of sockets adaptedto hold said handle member alongside said row, said upright endwallhaving in its side edge a notch within which a portion of said handlemember is adapted to rest.

2. In a socket wrench set, in combination with a plurality of socketsand a handle member therefor, a sheet metal strip having l means uponits surface adapted to receive and hold said sockets in a roviT and insubstantially upright position therein, said strip having at one endthereof a portion bent upwardly at substantially right angles forming anend wall, and means adapted to hold said handle member alongside saidrow of sockets, said means including a notch in a side edge of said endwall in which said handle rests at a portion thereof adjacent one end,said notch preventing vertical movement of said end, means engaging anintermediate portion of said handle and preventing movement of saidhandle laterally awayA from said row ofj` sockets, and releasable meansengaging said handle adjacent the other end thereof and .preventingvertical movement of said last end.

3. In a socket wrench set, in combination with a plurality of socketsand a handle member therefor, a sheet metal strip having means upon itssurface adapted to receive and hold saidsockets in a row and insubstantially upright position therein, said strip having at one endthereof a portion bent upwardly at substantially right angles forming anend wall, a member hinged to said end Wall -and extending therefromlengthwise of said metal strip above the upper ends of said sockets andlocking the latter against removal, and means for supporting said handlemember alongside said row of sockets, one end of said handlemember beingheld in place by said hinged inem- 4. In a socket wrench set, incombination with a Aplurality of sockets andl a handle member therefor,a sheet metal strip having means upon its surface adapted to receive andhold said sockets in a row and in substantially upright positiontherein, said stripv having at one endthereof a portion bent upwardly atsubstantially right angles forming an end wall, a member hinged to saidend wall and extending therefrom lengthwise of said metal strip abovethe upper ends of said sockets and locking the latter. against removal,and means for supporting said handle member alongside said row ofsockets, one end of said handle member being heldin place by said hingedmember and the other end thereof resting in a notch in a side edge ofsaid end wall.

5. In av socket Wrench set, in combination with a plurality of socketsand ay handle member therefor, a sheet metal strip having means upon itssurface adapted to receive and hold said sockets in a row and insubstantially upright position therein, said strip having at one endthereof a portion bent upwardly at substantially ri ht an les forming anend Wall, a member 'iingeiI to said end wall and extending therefrom'lengthwise of said metal strip above the upper ends of said sockets andlocking the latter against removal, means for supporting said handlemember alongside said row of sockets, said means including lugs bearingagainst said handle member and holding the same inwardly toward said rowof sockets, and a .notch in said end Wall in which said handle rests ata portion thereof adjacent one end, a portion of said handle adjacentthe other end thereof resting beneath lsaid hinged member. f

6. In a socket wrench set, in combination,

a fiat metal strip having means upon its suiface adapted to position aplurality of socket members in a row and in upright position thereon, arow of sockets thereon,' a

'member extending lengthwise of said metal socket members in a rowand inupright position thereon, a row of sockets thereon, a member extendinglengthwise of said 'metal strip above the upper ends of said sockets'and adapted to hold the latter down, a handle member for said socketscomprising an elongated bar having an end portion bent substantially atright angles to the body thereof, and means for holding said handlemember alongside said row of sockets, said means including supportingmeans extending outwardly-from the sideof said metal strip and havingparts adapted to hold said handle member 1n toward said row of sockets,said end portion of said handle being held beneath said member inconjunction with said sockets.

` 8. In a socket wrench set, in combination, a supporting. membercomprising an elongated flat metal strip, a. plurality of socket membersresting. upon the surface thereof in a rowv and in substantially uprightposition, means upon said .strip for holding said sockets thereonagainst sliding along the surface thereof and out of their positions, amember hinged at one end of said supporting member and extendingtherefrom above said socket members to the other end of l saidsupporting member and adapted to hold said socket members down, and ahandle lmember for `said sockets comprising an elongated .bar having .anend portion bent at substantially right angles to the body thereof, andmeans mounting said handle member upon said supporting member alongsideof saidrrow of sockets, said bent end portion thereof curving around anend socket of said row and being held beneath said hinged member. v

9. In a socket Wrench set,- in combination, a supporting membercomprising an elongated flat metal strip, a plurality of socketrnembersresting upon the surface thereof in a row and in substantially uprightposition, means upon said strip for holding said sockets thereon againstsliding along the surface thereof and out of their positions. asubstantially upright /Wall at one end of said supporting member, meansextending from said Wall lengthwise of said supporting member and abovesaid sockets to hold said sockets down, a handle member for said socketscomprising an elongated bar having an end portion bent at substantiallyright angles to the body thereof, and means for supporting said handlemember alongside said row of sockets, said means including a notch in aside edge of said end Wall in Which said handle rests, said bent end ofsaid handle being held beneath said means.

l0. In a socket Wrench set, incombination, a supporting 'membercomprising an elongated flat metal strip, a plurality of socket membersresting uponthe surface thereof in a row and -in substantially uprightposition, means upon said strip for holding said sockets thereon againstsliding along the surface thereof and'out of their positions, asubstantially upright Wall at one end of said supporting member, amember hinged to said end Wall and extending therefrom lengthwise ofsaid supporting member and above said sockets to hold said sockets down,a handle member for said sockets comprising an elongated bar having anend portion bent substantially at right angles to the body thereof, andmeans for supporting said handle member With the body thereof eX-tending alongside said roW of sockets, said last means including meansadapted to hold said handle member in against a side edge of said endWall and closely adjacent to said row of sockets, said bent end of saidhandle curving around toward said row of sockets and beneath said hingedmember.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this23d day of February, 1926.

LELAND B. SMITH.

